Nairobi Kenya

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya.

The city and its environs form the Nairobi county. 

The name "Nairobi"  is derived from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters".

 However, Nairobi is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" due to its proximity to the equator, ample rainfall and year round sunshine.

Nairobi is a city of extremes hosting  the most modern suburbs and the largest slums in Africa.

The city is located at 1°17'S 36°49'E? / ?1.283°S 36.817°E? / -1.283; 36.817 and occupies 684 square kilometres (260 sq mi).

 

Nairobi is situated between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa.

The Ngong hills, located to the west of the city, are the most prominent geographical feature of the Nairobi Area.

Mount Kenya is situated north of Nairobi and Mount Kilimanjaro is towards the south-east.

Both mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro  are visible from Nairobi on a clear day.

 

Founded in 1899 as a simple rail depot on the railway linking Mombasa to Uganda, the town quickly grew to become the capital of British East Africa in 1907 and eventually the capital of a free Kenyan republic in 1963.

During Kenya's colonial period, the city became a centre for the colony's coffee, tea and sisal industry.

Nairobi is also the capital of the Nairobi County.

The city lies on the Nairobi River, in the south of the nation, and has an elevation of 1795 m above sea-level.

 

Nairobi Population

Nairobi is the most populous city in East Africa, with a current estimated population of about 3 million.

According to the 1999 Census, in the administrative area of Nairobi, 2,143,254 inhabitants lived within 696 km2 (269 sq mi).

Nairobi is currently the 13th largest city in Africa, based on population and fourth largest in infrastructure development and its size.

Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially.

Home to many companies and organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme and the UN Office in Africa, Nairobi is established as a hub for business and culture.

The Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) is one of the largest in Africa, ranked fourth in terms of trading volume and capable of making 10 million trades a day.

The Globalisation and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) defines Nairobi as a prominent social centre

At 1,795 metres (5,889 ft) above sea level, Nairobi enjoys a moderate climate.

Under the Koppen climate classification, Nairobi has a Subtropical Highland climate.

The altitude makes for some chilly evenings, especially in the June/July season when the temperature can drop to 10 °C (50 °F).

The sunniest and warmest part of the year are from December to March, when temperatures average the mid-twenties during the day. The mean maximum temperature for this period is 24 °C (75 °F).

 

Nairobi Climate

There are two rainy seasons but rainfall can be moderate.

The cloudiest part of the year is just after the first rainy season, when, until September, conditions are usually overcast with drizzle.

As Nairobi is situated close to the equator, the differences between the seasons are minimal.

The seasons are referred to as the wet season and dry season.

The timing of sunrise and sunset varies little throughout the year, due to Nairobi's close proximity to the equator.

 Nairobi Safari Walk

Only 7 km south of Nairobi lies the Nairobi Safari Walk, Kenya’s conservation based recreation facility.

The Nairobi safari walk conservation facility is under the umbrella of the Nairobi National park and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The combination of skilled and creative landscape design, unique wildlife species and detailed interpretation, renders the conservation facility supreme in tourism and conservation education.

With a combination of three simulated, forests, wetlands and savannahs, visitors have an opportunity to learn about these valuable resources and how they can contribute to  conservation.

Some unique plants and animals that are locally extinct or threatened are also displayed.

The Nairobi safari walk is the place to learn how to take part in wildlife conservation in Kenya.

 Nairobi Safari Walk is an introductory eye opener to Kenya’s National Parks and Game Reserves.

It offers an opportunity to learn what to expect to see across the country in terms of wildlife and natural habitats.

Introductory talks on Kenya’s National  parks and Game  reserves, can be arranged by naturalists.

Experience a taste of Kenya’s rich animal collection including the rare bongo, white rhino, albino zebra, together with cats, antelopes and primates.

Nairobi Safari Walk is also home to a collection of about 150 species of local trees.

Get to learn their varied traditional uses too.

The unique design of the Safari Walk includes the interest of all visitors, families, students, tourists, and all others are catered for.

Climatic conditions - January-March is hot and dry, April-June is hot and wet, July- October is very warm and wet.

 Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park was established in 1946, and is world famous for being the only National Park to be found within a capital city in the whole world.

Being a mere 8 miles from the city centre, the parks vegetation is primarily savannah and plains and has areas of highland forest, acacia and riverine environments.

It hosts over 100 animal species including  the rhino, lions, cheetahs (with an exception of the elephant) and an amazing 500 plus bird species.

 Kenya National Museum

The Kenya National Museum is located within Nairobi City and is an excellent place to visit while in the city.

The museum is famous the Leakey prehistoric artefacts plus some of Kenya's best preserved tribal artefacts that date back hundreds of years.

Other sights within the museum include well preserved birds, butterflies, wildlife remains and snakes.

 Karen Blixen Museum

Karen Blixen Museum, the historic house of the famous dutch woman, Karen Blixen, on whom the movie ‘Out of Africa’ was based, is located in the outskirts of the city within serene gardens.

A visit to this museum provides an opportunity to step back in time and gain an insight into this remarkable woman's life.

Views of the Ngong Hills can be admired from the beautifully landscaped gardens of the museum.

The house is ideally located near the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant, gallery and gift shop which echo themes of the museum.

 Bomas of Kenya- Kenya Culture

Boma means house or homestead and Bomas of Kenya here simply means tribes of Kenya.

There are over 40 ethinic tribes in Kenya and it is at Bomas of Kenya where you can learn about the traditional way of life of each of these tribes.

A walk to the numerous "bomas" (homesteads) reflecting Kenya's cocktail of cultures have been re-created for visitors to experience the traditional village life of the People of Kenya.

The highlight of this tour is the colorful display of folk dances from various tribes performed in a splendid arena.

Giraffe Centre & Manor

The Giraffe Manor Africa's pride of international celebrity.

Since its founders, Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, rescued a baby giraffe named Daisy from a heavily-poached area of western Kenya in 1974, their home has become a household name among wildlife lovers world-wide - and Daisy a star in her own right.

Today, Daisy's home has been opened to the world - and provides what is felt is the very best place to begin or end your safari or if in a conference or transit it worth coming close to wildlife from the bustle of the city where you feed giraffes with your own hands and have the closest touch!

Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage where you come close to elephant calves!

Daphne Sheldrick As part of the David Sheldrick Conservation Foundation rehabilitates baby elephants and other wildlife here at her home just outside of Nairobi National Park.

These babies have lost their mothers to poaching, death, injuries, on getting lost in the wild or other
tragedies.

Daphne and her dedicated staff raise them to be released back into the wild when they are ready.

Its worth visiting and see humanitarian care to the wildlife and the heart it takes to care.

They charge a small entrance fees instead you can buy a souvenir or donate for the conservation

 Carnivore Restaurant Experience

The Carnivore Gourmet Experience also described as 'Meat Eaters Paradise' or Africa's Greatest Eating Experence! The  carnivore restaurant is voted as one of the top 50 best restaurants in the world.

It's recommended for dinner at start or end of your safari or a treat out from your hotel.

Carnivore is a 'must visit' for anyone who loves Barbeque.

This is a Barbeque Restaurant with a difference in that not only do they serve your normal beef, pork and chicken but Game meat as well!!!. Gazelle, Giraffe, Gnu, Zebra, Crocodile, Hartebeest and Ostrich are some of the specials that you will find on the menu.

The meat is roasted on a huge charcoal BBQ right at the entrance to the restaurant.

The meat comes with special sauces which are Carnivore's secret. Carnivore is an 'eat to your full' restaurant and you are guaranteed very good wining and dining.